When the show's producers, Globo Balear, took over the Gran Casino Theatre to host the show, the 1,500-seater custom-built theatre had never been used before for such a technically ambitious production. They therefore appointed broadcast and production specialists Three Media Creative as technology consultants when the show first went into pre-production planning.
James Baker, Three Media Creative Show Technology Consultant and his team had the remit of designing sound and projection systems that would provide the very best possible audio-visual experience in order to enhance the show's Broadway-style production values. James, tasked with sourcing an extensive range of equipment, turned to A.C. Entertainment Technologies.
James discussed his technical requirements for a new FOH loudspeaker system with Peter Butler of A.C.'s Audio division.
Peter specified a KV2 Audio system consisting of EX and ES Series loudspeakers. The system includes three clusters of ES1.0 (LCR) and six ES2.5 compact, high output cabinets. Separate EPAK 2500R 2500W amplifiers and electronics power the ES range. KV2's EX10 cabinets are used as under-balcony fills and show relay monitors in the venue's vast backstage area. Adam Beaumont of A.C.'s Rigging division designed and supplied all flying equipment and hardware required to install the loudspeakers.
For stage monitoring, Three Media Creative installed KV2 EX10 cabinets, sunk into the stage floor to assist with sight lines and EX12 cabinets as stage in-fills. Prior to installation, KV2 engineer Andy Austin-Brown conducted a site visit to fine-tune the system design; a further visit was made on completion of the installation to commission the system.
In addition, A.C. supplied Three Media Creative with various Sennheiser wired and wireless radio mics, signal processing and cabling. The lead singer in the show, Chris Mann, has the latest Sennheiser radio mic technology as he sings the great swing music of Frank Sinatra, so that he can reflect the nuances and rhythms of "Old Blue Eye's" musical style with the utmost clarity. Other audio equipment supplied included Sennheiser IEM's for playback to the singers and musicians, a London Soundweb for signal routing and a 24" Imac running MOTU Digital Performer 6 with 12 channels of synced audio, various FX units and Focusrite compressors for source playback.
The other part of Three Media Creative's remit was to assist in creating a visual backdrop to the show that would both enhance the theatrical experience and provide an imaginative backdrop for the on-stage action. After discussing his technical requirements with Lee Houseat A.C.'s Video division, the company supplied Three Media Creative with various Christie digital projectors, including two M-Series DS+10K-M DLP and two LX1500 LCD units, to illuminate the 90ft wide stage with high-definition images. Content was provided via three Green Hippo Hippotizer Stage V3 media servers. Memorable backdrops and scenic elements include the Coca Cola sign in 52nd Street, night-time sky with shooting stars, central park at night-time, central park in the autumn, a sky scape complete with moving clouds and a vision of the New York skyline. Other video equipment supplied included TV One processing components and various cabling.
The Hippotizers are operated in Timeline mode via two Luminex Gigabit switchers connected to a 24" Imac running Zookeeper at front-of-house. James commented: "The system is flawless and so easy to operate for the resident technician that aft
